Impact of Terrorism on Globalization and Vice-Versa

In his letter confirming my participation, Dean Attanasio stated, This conference, entitled \u27Terrorism\u27s Burdens on Globalization,\u27 posits that terrorism poses a systemic threat to globalization. 1 I agree with this postulate, but would suggest that terrorism-especially the catastrophic terrorism that occurred on September 11, 2001-may so concentrate the mind wonderfully 2 that we will finally give the problem of terrorism the kind of attention it deserves3 as well as explore in greater depth the benefits and costs of globalization. The title of this article sets forth its basic theme: terrorism and globalization are locked in a symbiotic relationship. Globalization has contributed greatly to the increased threat that terrorism now poses, and part of this threat is the negative impact that terrorism may have on globalization. On the other hand, globalization, if developed along sensible, policy serving lines, may lead the way to more effective steps towards combating terrorism. This article first discusses globalization and the impact it has had on the threat of terrorism, especially as demonstrated by the events of September 11. It turns next to the response of the United States and the rest of the world community to these events and the impact (both negative and positive) it has had on globalization. Lastly, the article considers the role that a sensible process of globalization might play in combating the threat of terrorism